Flow of Riches

I have known people who are very generous in giving to others their time, money, and service. Their heart was evident to all. No sacrifice seemed too great when it came to soothing the pain of others. But I have also observed that those who are most generous are often very reluctant to receive help when they are in need.

I have also known people who are takers. They are not shy about receiving assistance from others, and may often ask for help before they are asked if they need it. Many times the takers are oblivious to the needs of others and can't conceive that they should reach out to offer help. They have become a swamp, consistently receiving, but never flowing outward to others.

As I ponder the reasons for such extremes, I am struck how rare it is to find someone who does both well. I am not sure that I know anyone who is equally comfortable with giving as they are receiving. And yet I believe that such a balance should be characteristic of Jesus-followers. Look at Jesus and you will find Him to be as adept at reaching out with healing power as He was at receiving the anointing of costly perfume. Neither act embarrassed Him. It was as it was intended to be.

What could it be that tends to keep us polarized to one extreme or the other? Could it be the same failure that causes both anomalies?

The heart of this issue is stewardship. When we properly understand who owns it all, the flow of riches into our lives should be as natural as the the flow of riches out of our lives to others. And vice versa. If I truly believe that nothing I have is mine, but ALL is God's, I will be as comfortable giving it as I am receiving it. I can give freely, because it is not mine to hoard. I can receive freely, because I am receiving the blessing which God ultimately possesses anyway. I freely receive air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, shelter to protect, relationships to nurture and comfort, and truth to guide. Why could I not receive $100 as a gift - not from his wallet or her pocketbook, really, but from God's treasure.

A misunderstanding of the sovereign ownership of God hinders the flow in either or both directions. A friend told me about a man he met who said, "What does it matter that God's money is in your pocket or mine?" The early church lived by that principle.

"they gave to everyone as he had need"

Some call it communism. I called it God-born stewardship.

This might seem harsh, but either extreme of flow presented above is a manifestation of selfishness. Those who receive, but rarely give, have become convinced that they deserve to possess. Their comfort takes precedence. If others have needs, they should find support elsewhere.

And those who give, but find it nearly impossible to receive, have become convinced that they are self-sufficient. The delusion is that they are in control. God can help them, they admit, but only in a way in which they approve.

Both conditions require a humble gratitude. Both require a conversion of trust. Both require a restoration of sight. We all come to God, beggars in need of bread, and God has created a community in which His riches are intended to flow in every direction through our lives, never to be collected in cisterns for the self.

Life with an open hand implies that my hand is open for both reasons: to give and to receive. And never can my fingers close to clench what is God's.